The frontman of an acclaimed rock band is now in ‘complete remission’ from an incurable form of blood cancer following a groundbreaking drugs trial in Manchester.
Mike Peters, who is the frontman for Welsh punk rock band, The Alarm, was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) – which is the most common type of leukaemia, and is usually slow growing – more than 29 years ago, before sadly being diagnosed with a rapidly-progressive blood cancer, known as Richter’s syndrome, earlier this year.
While CLL unfortunately cannot be cured, it is normally known to respond to treatment, and in Mike’s case, the 65-year-old had received four courses of chemotherapy since he was first diagnosed.
Back in April of this year, Mike was about to embark on a 50-date tour of the US with his band when he felt a lump in his neck whilst shaving which had appeared overnight, and following a biopsy of the lump, it was then revealed that he had developed Richter’s syndrome, where his CLL changed into an aggressive fast-growing lymphoma.
The North Wales-based father of two sons was sadly then forced to cancel his tour and disappoint thousands of fans.
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#InTheNews Mike Peters, lead singer of The Alarm, is in remission from a rare form of lymphoma called Richter's syndrome after taking part in a clinical trial at The Christie.
Mike was referred from the North Wales Cancer Centre to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust here in Manchester, and agreed to take part in a randomised phase II clinical trial, which was setting out to investigate the combination of a targeted therapy called acalabrutinib, in combination with standard chemotherapy.
Although acalabrutinib is already approved for CLL, according to The Christie, it had not been tested in combination with chemotherapy for Richter’s Syndrome.
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The aim of this new combined therapy was to increase both the chance of the cancer responding to treatment, and the duration of the response, and so, just two weeks after his diagnosis, Mike started the first of five cycles of chemotherapy.
Rock frontman Mike Peters is now in ‘complete remission’ from an incurable form of blood cancer / Credit: The Christie NHS
Miraculously, a scan in August showed that there are currently no signs of cancer – which doctors describe as “complete remission” – with the plan now being to go ahead with a donor stem cell transplant, which will offer the rockstar the chance of finally being cured of the disease.
“I can’t thank The Christie enough for getting me on this clinical trial,” Mike said.
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“I consider myself lucky I discovered the lump before I’d left for the States, as I might not be here now if I hadn’t. Doctors told me without treatment, I only had a couple of months to live, which was a huge shock [but] the drugs worked so quickly, and the lump disappeared as fast as it appeared.”
“I’d encourage anyone to consider taking part in a clinical trial if that is a viable option for them,” Mike concluded.
Featured Image – The Christie NHS
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Simon Wood announces gutting closure of Manchester restaurant after seven years
Danny Jones
Celebrity chef and Manchester local Simon Wood has announced that his self-titled WOOD Restaurant has sadly closed its doors.
The Oldham-born chef-owner who won MasterChef back in 2015, revealed the unfortunate news on Wednesday, 2 October, confirming that the First Street site will be closing immediately. Truly gutting.
Wood has remained one of Greater Manchester’s most-renowned chefs for the past decade, not to mention a huge advocate for supporting the hospitality industry, especially post-Covid and during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Sharing an emotional post on Instagram, he wrote: “It is with much regret that I have to inform you that I must close the doors here at WOOD for good, with immediate effect.”
“We have had 7 years as part of the Manchester city dining scene and I’m very proud of what the team and I have achieved”, the 48-year-old continued.
“Sadly with COVID rent arrears now being demanded by our landlord and an increasingly difficult marketplace, energy increases, ingredient costs and soon-to-be spiralling business rates we just cannot make this work.”
“I’d like to thank everyone for your support and patronage over the years. Thank you, Simon.”
It was only at the start of the week that Wood shared a frustrated post about a group of no-show customers over the weekend that failed to even pre-warn that they would no longer be attending one of his most exclusive and costly experiences.
We’re starting to lose count of how many local businesses are unfortunately struggling in the face of the rising business rates and energy bills that all independents are facing at the minute.
It was only last month that we saw Almous Famous had to call it a day with their Withington location and beloved sandwich spot Micky’s sadly suffer the same fate. Even cult favourite Cafe Marhaba looks to have gone up for sale. So tough to swallow.
We’re genuinely gutted for everyone involved with the brand. All the best, Si – we know you’ll be back stronger than ever one of these days.
Featured Images — The Manc Group
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No trams to run through major Manchester city centre station this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Arguably Manchester city centre’s most important tram stop is set to be out of action this weekend, with no services running through it.
In what is another part of Transport for Greater Manchester‘s (TfGM) ongoing programme of works intended to “maintain and improve” the Metrolink system and ensure tram journeys in Greater Manchester remain “safe, reliable, and accessible”, it’s been confirmed that no trams will run through Cornbrook this weekend.
Due to this, there will be a change to operating patterns across the majority of the Metrolink network on both Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October.
As is often the case in instances like these, disruption to passengers is expected.
On Saturday and Sunday [5 and 6 October], no trams will operate through Cornbrook.
There will be a change to operating patterns and replacement bus services will be in operation.
On Saturday (5 October), the tram service pattern will change to Altrincham – Old Trafford, Bury – Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury – Firswood, Etihad Campus – Bury (peak time only) / Victoria (after peak only), Manchester Airport – Firswood, Rochdale Town Centre – Deansgate-Castlefield (via Exchange Square), and The Trafford Centre – Wharfside.
Similarly, on Sunday (6 October), the only difference to the above service pattern is that the Etihad Campus tram will only run to Victoria, not Bury.
Services will operate every 12 minutes, except for on the Eccles line, where no trams will run at all.
TfGM is also warning that there may be changes to the first and last tram times during these works, but, in bid to help people still get to their destinations, three bus replacement services will operate from Firswood to Victoria, Old Trafford to Piccadilly, and Eccles to Piccadilly.
No trams will run through major Manchester city centre station Cornbrook this weekend / Credit: TfGM
The Old Trafford to Piccadilly bus service will run through Wharfside, while the Eccles to Piccadilly will travel via MediaCity.
“These works are a vitally important part of maintaining a safe and reliable network for all our customers,” explained
Ian Davies, who is TfGM’s Interim Network Director for Metrolink, said these works are “a vitally important part” of maintaining the Metrolink, and that work has been scheduled by TfGM to “minimise disruption to passengers and residents as much as possible”.
Emily Sergeant -
1st October 2024 
